AARP is seeking volunteers to advocate for policies aimed at improving the lives of older Kansans during the 2023 legislative session beginning in January.

Top priorities for AARP Kansas include creating a state-sponsored retirement savings program for workers, expanding access to affordable high-speed internet service and increasing support for family caregivers.

AARP is recruiting volunteers who are passionate about these topics to contact state lawmakers, testify before legislative committees and share stories about how these important issues impact their lives.

AARP Kansas also needs volunteers in other roles, such as serving on its Executive Council and educating Kansans about frauds and scams and how to avoid them. To become a volunteer, go to aarp.org/iwant2volunteer.

AARP Nebraska will hold its annual Lobby Week with state lawmakers from Monday, March 6, to Friday, March 10. Members and volunteers can participate either in person or virtually.

Scheduled events include informational sessions on AARP’s priority bills affecting older Nebraskans in the 2023 legislative session, along with background about AARP’s advocacy work on federal issues. Participants will also have the chance to meet as a group with state senators either in person or over Zoom to discuss current legislation.

AARP Nebraska’s advocacy priorities include support for family caregivers, home- and community-based services, quality of care in nursing homes and financial security in retirement.

For more information or to sign up, send an email to neaarp@aarp.org or call 866-389-5651.

AARP North Dakota’s popular series of Strength and Stretch yoga classes will continue to be offered online in the new year. Yoga can help with strength, flexibility, balance and focus.

The classes are structured to include participants of all ability levels and cover topics such as easing back pain, getting better sleep and improving balance. They even offer more specific tips, such as for getting up from the floor after a fall.

The latest two offerings in the series are yoga to stimulate the brain on Thursday, Jan. 26, and yoga to open the heart on Thursday, Feb. 16. To register for a live class or to view them at another time, go to aarp.cvent.com/YogaND. The sessions will also be rebroadcast regularly on local community access television. For more information, visit dakotamediaaccess.org.

Nearing the two-year anniversary of the deadly winter storm that led to power outages for millions of Texans, AARP Texas is pushing for reforms to help protect residents during natural disasters.

The 2023 legislative session is underway, and AARP will urge state lawmakers to create a funding mechanism to ensure that medically vulnerable Texans, such as those who rely on electricity-dependent devices, have access to backup power in case of widespread power outages. AARP Texas is also seeking a law that would require long-term care facilities to have adequate backup power sources.

In 2021, 246 people died in Texas as a result of the February storm, and the majority were age 60 or over, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The state Legislature returns on Monday, Feb. 6, and AARP needs volunteers to help educate lawmakers about issues important to older Oklahomans. Volunteers can participate in person or virtually.

AARP Oklahoma’s legislative priorities include expanding access to quality home- and community-based services and protecting the vulnerable against financial fraud and abuse.

AARP is also eager to welcome volunteers in other roles, such as leading Driver Safety classes, which help older adults refresh their driving skills. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also needs help educating Oklahomans on how to spot scams.

Interested in becoming an AARP volunteer? Fill out the form at aarp.org/getinvolved. —David Lewellen